Living Intentionally After the Job’s Done

Click on the highlighted title to download and print: Scriptures to Combat Fear.

I don’t know about you, but after a huge push to accomplish a big task, my whole body tends to revolt. Exhaustion hits, emotions crumble, and spiritual attacks threaten.

Have you noticed a similar pattern in your life? Maybe after purchasing or moving into a new home, you experienced some sort of breakdown—physical, emotional, or spiritual? Perhaps after receiving that big promotion you’d been working toward, life suddenly felt hollow? Similar feelings can surface with something as simple as finishing a good book—you wonder, how will the Lord speak to me now?

Reaching our goals is a good thing, but if we reach a goal without a plan for new direction, we might (at best) feel at a loss or (at worse) find ourselves open to the enemy’s attack.

One Month After Release

I find myself at this crucial juncture. The Pharaoh’s Daughter released on March 17^th, just over a month ago, and most of the contests, interviews, and promotions have ended. Life will soon settle into its normal rhythms again, and I want to be faithful to ask the Lord, “What’s next?”

Before my heart and mind have opportunities to wander off course, I’ve determined to be intentional about seeking His direction.

Did you catch that important word? Intentional.

Jesus Sets the Example

During the past two weeks, I’ve heard the same Scripture shared from three separate sources—a Bible study, a sermon, and my mom. When this happens, I know God is using His 2 x 4 method of communication to make His point crystal clear to me. Here’s the passage:

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end…Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet…” John 13:1-5 (emphasis added)

Jesus found Himself in a circumstance much like the intro I described—at the end of a VERY big task! He’d nearly completed His work on earth, so He was determined to act intentionally during His final hours based on the Truth He knew:

1. The timing was right (hour had come).
2. His motivation was right (loved his own).
3. His identity was secure (belonged to God).
4. His destination/goal was clearly defined (returning to God).

Living Intentionally

As I pray about what comes next for me, my heart must be as certain as Jesus was of those four things. If I proceed with MY plans before the timing is right or with wrong motivation, my commitments will wobble and my direction will wander. Living intentionally means being sure of timing, motivation, identity and purpose before beginning the journey.

What about you? Are you living intentionally—doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason? Are you secure in who you are and where you’re going—because you’re following the Good Shepherd?

Whether you’re at the end of a big project or in the middle of some hard questions, spend some time today asking God to cement the Truth into your spirit.

Tweet-A-Licious!

• If we reach a goal without God’s plan for new direction, we may be open to the enemy’s attack.
• If I proceed with MY plans before I know God’s Truth, my commitment and direction will falter.
• INTENTIONALITY is being sure of timing, motivation, identity and purpose before starting a journey

And the Final Bible Study Comment Winner is…Linda McFarland! Enjoy your necklace. Thank you to all who joined in with comments and questions. I hope the study was a blessing as you seek to intentionally live out God’s calling on your life!